By Jemima Skelley|
One of the best ways to really understand a destination while travelling is to sample the street food.
And truly, nowhere does it like Asia. From steaming bowls of noodle soup in Vietnam to satay skewers fresh off the grill in Indonesia, tucking into local food is one of the true highlights of travelling.
For all the foodies out there, here are some destinations – and some dishes – that you really must add to your bucket list.
ATIA’s latest Travel Trends Report shows that Aussies are heading to Asia in record numbers, with Vietnam, Japan, and China topping the list.
And as Asia is home to some of the best street food destinations in the world, now’s the perfect time to share some of the best.
ravel expert Ali Greer at EnPerSo Leisure Travel, a Sydney-based travel company curating personalised trips for curious travellers, says street food is the best way to get under the skin of a city.
“It’s fast, local, and unforgettable,” says Greer. “You remember the flavours, the smells, the noise – and those tiny plastic stools.”
Here are some of the team’s top recommendations.
Vietnam
Banh mi is a must-try in Vietnam. Though the crusty baguette sandwich is popular here in Australia, the ones over there are out of this world. They’re traditionally made with pork, pickled veggies, and coriander.
If you’re in Hanoi, you must try bún chả. It’s grilled pork, rice noodles, and a tangy, sweet sauce packed with herbs. Honestly, it’s worth adding Hanoi to your itinerary just to try the dish where it was invented.
In fact, Obama and Anthony Bourdain sat down for a meal of bún chả for an episode of Bourdain’s travel food show. At the restaurant where they ate (Hương Liên in Hanoi), you can order the ‘Obama Combo’ for about $7.
Singapore
Singapore’s street food scene is legendary, and Hainanese chicken rice is easily the most famous dish. It’s simple but packed with flavour, and will only cost you a few dollars.
For something equally iconic, try chilli crab, a messy but undeniably delicious dish of fresh crab stir-fried in a sweet and savory tomato-chilli sauce.
Hong Kong
Another famed street food destination, Hong Kong’s gai daan tsai (egg waffles) are a quintessential treat. These crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside waffles are best enjoyed hot and fresh as you wander the streets.
More into savoury food? You can’t go wrong with fish balls on a skewer, often served with a variety of sauces.
China
In Shanghai, seek out hand-stretched noodles – watching the noodles be made is almost as good as the dish itself.
Crispy scallion pancakes are a must-try too: flaky, savory, and perfect for a quick bite on the go. And of course, you need to have dumplings while in China. Sheng Jian Bao, the pan-fried pork buns with a crispy bottom and juicy, soupy filling, are a classic for a reason.
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur has endless street food options, and satay is a true star – skewers of perfectly grilled meat served with a rich, peanut dipping sauce.
Another essential is nasi lemak: fragrant coconut rice, often accompanied by spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, a boiled egg, and roasted peanuts.
Sri Lanka
Perhaps it’s not top of mind when you think of iconic Asian food, but Sri Lanka has some really great dishes.
Egg hoppers are bowl-shaped, lacy pancakes with a runny egg cooked inside, perfect for breakfast or a snack. Kottu roti, a chopped flatbread dish mixed with vegetables, egg, or meat, is another flavorful staple.
And keep an eye out for roadside samosas! They’re so good fresh out of the oil.
Souce : https://travel.nine.com.au/destinations/street-food-asia-best-destinations-vietnam-singapore-malaysia-hong-kong/18e78ad8-1fca-449c-80e0-46e7aa594dbc
